308 SOMEONE'S PET. the death-dews from his brow, just as his sight was failing, he rallied a little, like an expiring taper in its socket, looked up longingly and joyfully, and in tones that drew tears from every eye whispered audibly, 'Is that mother?' Then drawing her toward him with all his feeble power, he nestled his head in her arms, like a sleeping child, and thus died, with the sweet word, 'Mother,' on his lips." Raise me in your arms, dear mother, Let me once more look On the green and waving willows, Hark, those strains of angel music Truly "God is love." A council of war was held by our generals, and the conclusion arrived at that the enterprise should be abandoned, and that the army should recross the Rappahannock under cover of darkness. Everything was conducted in the most quiet manner; so quiet, indeed, that the enemy never suspected the movement, and the retreat was accomplished, and the bridges partially removed, before the fact was discovered. CHAPTER XXIV. AFTER THE BATTLE-SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED-GENERAL BURNSIDE'S ORDER" STUCK IN THE MUD -HOOKER IN COMMAND-WESTERN CAMPAIGN CAVALRY RECONNOISSANCEANOTHER DISGUISE-AGAIN IN DIXIE-A WEDDING PARTYIN A TRAP-REBEL CONSCRIPT-ON THE MARCH-A REBEL CAPTAIN A FIERCE ENGAGEMENT-AGAIN UNDER THE OLD FLAG-PAYING A DEBT OF GRATITUDE. A FTER the battle of Fredericksburgh the weather was very cold, and the wounded suffered exceedingly-even after they were sent to Aquia Creek, and other places-for they could not all be provided for and made comfortable immediately. Our troops returned to their old camps in the mud, and remained stationary for several weeks, notwithstanding our daily orders were to be ready to march at a moment's notice. The unnecessary slaughter of our men at Fredericksburg had a sad effect upon our troops, and the tone of the northern press was truly distressing. The wailing for the noble dead seemed wafted on every breeze, for In the city, in the village, In the hamlet far away, Sit the mothers, watching, waiting, For their soldier boys to-day. 310 GENERAL BURNSIDE'S ORDER. They are coming, daily coming, On the twentieth of January General Burnside issued the following order to the army, which was joyfully received; for of all places for an encampment, that seemed to be the most inconvenient and disagreeable: HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, GENERAL ORDERS-No. 7. The Commanding General announces to the Army of the Potomac that they are about to meet the enemy once more. The late brilliant actions in North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas, have divided and weakened the enemy on the Rappahannock, and the auspicious moment seems to have arrived to strike a great and mortal blow to the rebellion, and to gain that decisive victory which is due to the country. Let the gallant soldiers of so many brilliant battle-fields accomplish this achievement, and a fame the most glorious awaits them. The Commanding General calls for the firm and united action of officers and men, and, under the providence of God, the Army of the Potomac will have taken the great step towards restoring WESTERN CAMPAIGN. 311 peace to the country, and the Government to its rightful authority. By command of MAJOR-GENERAL BURNSIDE. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General. Soon after this order was issued a portion of the army did really move-but the pontoons became "stuck in the mud," and the troops returned again. In this manner the winter wore away, and a severe winter I thought it was; for in riding a distance of two miles, in two instances, I had my feet frozen. General Hooker was now put in command of the Army of the Potomac, and Burnside, with the Ninth Army Corps, ordered to the Western department. Being desirous of leaving the Army of the Potomac, I now applied for permission to go with the Ninth Corps, which was granted. I did not go with the troops, however, but went to Washington first, and remained several days; then took the cars and proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, and arrived there before the troops did. The last entry in my journal, before leaving the Army of the Potomac, was as follows: "The weather department is in perfect keeping with the War Department; its policy being to make as 'many changes as possible, and every one worse than the last. May God bless the old Army of the Potomac, and save it from total annihilation." 312 CAVALRY RECONNOISSANCE. On the arrival of the troops at Louisville, they were sent in detachments to different places-some to Bardstown, some to Lebanon, and others to guard different portions of the railroad. The third day after my arrival I went out with a reconnoitering expedition, under command of General M. It was entirely composed of cavalry. We rode thirty-six miles that afternoon-the roads were splendid. When we were about twelve miles from our lines we changed our course and struck through the woods, fording creeks and crossing swamps, which was anything but pleasant. After emerging from the thick undergrowth, on one occasion, we came upon an inferior force of the enemy's cavalry; a sharp skirmish ensued, which resulted in the capture of five prisoners from the rebel band, and wounding several. Three of our men were slightly wounded, but we returned to Louisville in good order, and enjoyed the luxury of a good supper at a hotel, which is a rare thing in that city. I took the cars the next day and went to Lebanon-dressed in one of the rebel prisoner's clothes-and thus disguised, made another trip to rebeldom. My business purported to be buying up butter and eggs, at the farm-houses, for the rebel army. I passed through the lines somewhere, without knowing it; for on coming to a little village toward evening, I found it occupied by a strong force of rebel cavalry. The first house |